Gen Chem substitute

[Time Table]

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My university recently implemented a faster chemistry sequence which incorporates 2 semesters of gen chem into 1 semester. Now I know that (almost ?) all med schools require 2 semesters of gen chem. However, I was wondering, because I'm a biochem major, would a year of biochem + physical chem (during my senior year) make up for the 1 semester lack of gen chem?

 

[Aerus]

My university recently implemented a faster chemistry sequence which incorporates 2 semesters of gen chem into 1 semester. Now I know that (almost ?) all med schools require 2 semesters of gen chem. However, I was wondering, because I'm a biochem major, would a year of biochem + physical chem (during my senior year) make up for the 1 semester lack of gen chem?

Biochem will usually not replace a chemistry course, as it's becoming a prereq in its own right at a few schools. PChem will probably fill up the requirement but I don't know why you would want to take Pchem instead of just two semesters of Gen chem for any reason other than intellectual curiosity or to graduate earlier/on time.

 

[Time Table]

Biochem will usually not replace a chemistry course, as it's becoming a prereq in its own right at a few schools. PChem will probably fill up the requirement but I don't know why you would want to take Pchem instead of just two semesters of Gen chem for any reason other than intellectual curiosity or to graduate earlier/on time.

When I came into my university, I was forced into the accelerated chem sequence and was not able to take the 2 semester gen chem sequence. If I do plan on applying in 2016, should I take PChem before I apply, perhaps in junior year, or keep it until after senior year. My orgo grade was higher than my gen chem grade, so I'm not really sure what to think of it.

 

[zzxxzz]

I think PChem will suffice - it's a 300 level course at most institutions - but you can always take the 2nd semester of gen chem at a different school if that's an option.

 

[Aerus]

When I came into my university, I was forced into the accelerated chem sequence and was not able to take the 2 semester gen chem sequence. If I do plan on applying in 2016, should I take PChem before I apply, perhaps in junior year, or keep it until after senior year. My orgo grade was higher than my gen chem grade, so I'm not really sure what to think of it.

You can, but do you think you will be able to do well? Pchem is by no means an easy course. But if you are sure you can handle it, then it will be fine as a prereq. You can complete the prereqs anytime before matriculation, but you still have to consider if you will receive adequate preparation for the MCAT.

 

[Time Table]

You can, but do you think you will be able to do well? Pchem is by no means an easy course. But if you are sure you can handle it, then it will be fine as a prereq. You can complete the prereqs anytime before matriculation, but you still have to consider if you will receive adequate preparation for the MCAT.

Well the gen chem 1&2 class that I took was pretty good. It covered a lot of the advanced gen chem material as well as reviewing concepts from AP Chem. I'm not sure if I'll have a hiccup when it comes to fulfilling the gen chem requirements though. It is a 300 level course at my school, but so is orgo 1&2, and orgo lab.

 

[allantois]

PChem is a pretty hard class (heard from Chem majors). You could probably substitute it with Analytically or Inorganic Chemistry instead (think that might be a little easier). Maybe even Biochem 2 will suffice? That would seem even more relevant for you medical career.

Edit: If you have credit from AP Chem recorded on your transcript that will fulfill your Gen Chem requirement. I only took Gen Chem 2 as I had AP credit for Gen Chem 1. In that case, you won't need to supplement your Gen Chem 1 as every med school I checked accepted AP Chem for Gen Chem requirement.

 

[mehc012]

My university recently implemented a faster chemistry sequence which incorporates 2 semesters of gen chem into 1 semester. Now I know that (almost ?) all med schools require 2 semesters of gen chem. However, I was wondering, because I'm a biochem major, would a year of biochem + physical chem (during my senior year) make up for the 1 semester lack of gen chem?

My school has a similar course; they specifically told me that because they count it as both general chemistry courses within the Chem department, even though my transcript only assigns 1 unit of credit to it, medical schools were fine with it. Apparently they have never had a single school bat an eye at the course.

I'm hoping they're correct, because I steadfastly refuse to retake Gen Chem II, considering that I was a freaking chemistry major, but with an organic focus (so no Pchem to balance).

 

[boomshaketheroom]

I had a messed up schedule that ended in me taking Orgo I (didn't fail, just happened like that) twice and Gen Chem I, but not Gen Chem II. I used Pchem as my second Gen Chem class on my app and it was fine.

 

[Time Table]

PChem is a pretty hard class (heard from Chem majors). You could probably substitute it with Analytically or Inorganic Chemistry instead (think that might be a little easier). Maybe even Biochem 2 will suffice? That would seem even more relevant for you medical career.

Edit: If you have credit from AP Chem recorded on your transcript that will fulfill your Gen Chem requirement. I only took Gen Chem 2 as I had AP credit for Gen Chem 1. In that case, you won't need to supplement your Gen Chem 1 as every med school I checked accepted AP Chem for Gen Chem requirement.

Biochem 2 was what I was planning on substituting in. For biochem majors, our school requires PChem anyways, so I was wondering if it would suffice.

I actually didn't take AP Chem, I took a placement test for chemistry. I'm the charter class for this (possibly atrocious) sequence and I placed into the advanced chem. Since I'm planning on taking PChem, I'm not sure if it'll matter.

My school has a similar course; they specifically told me that because they count it as both general chemistry courses within the Chem department, even though my transcript only assigns 1 unit of credit to it, medical schools were fine with it. Apparently they have never had a single school bat an eye at the course.

I'm hoping they're correct, because I steadfastly refuse to retake Gen Chem II, considering that I was a freaking chemistry major, but with an organic focus (so no Pchem to balance).

At my school, I have already received credit for Gen Chem I through the placement test and I wouldn't be able to (re?)take gen chem anyways. How would this work for the Gen Chem lab? Med schools require a year of gen chem lab, but I would essentially have a semester and a half because my gen chem lab for my second semester was sorta combined with orgo chem lab and I'm taking a separate orgo chem lab course as well.

I had a messed up schedule that ended in me taking Orgo I (didn't fail, just happened like that) twice and Gen Chem I, but not Gen Chem II. I used Pchem as my second Gen Chem class on my app and it was fine.

How were you allowed to take the class twice if you didn't fail/get below a C- for a retake? 😵

 

[boomshaketheroom]

How were you allowed to take the class twice if you didn't fail/get below a C- for a retake? 😵

Weird, right? I transferred and the way the schedules worked, I couldn't have fit Gen Chem II in, so my advisor suggested I take Orgo I again just to make sure I had some sort of chemistry and didn't get rusty before I took Orgo II the next semester. It all worked out in the end, the only difficulty was pKa stuff hit me pretty hard in biochem since I hadn't seen it a lot (It was mostly in Gen Chem II at my school). Anywho, med schools didn't mind at all or even ask me about the 2x Orgo I (It was easier the second time around if you can imagine 😉 ).

 

[mehc012]

Biochem 2 was what I was planning on substituting in. For biochem majors, our school requires PChem anyways, so I was wondering if it would suffice.

Yes, Pchem will suffice. Biochem is a stretch.

I actually didn't take AP Chem, I took a placement test for chemistry. I'm the charter class for this (possibly atrocious) sequence and I placed into the advanced chem. Since I'm planning on taking PChem, I'm not sure if it'll matter.

Again, if you're taking Pchem, you're fine.
fwiw, my school required AP chem in order to take the placement test, and then a good score on the placement test in order to take the combined test...but no AP credit, ever. So it wasn't an AP credit issue, it's just that med schools have honored our 'combined' course despite not technically meeting the credit requirements.

At my school, I have already received credit for Gen Chem I through the placement test and I wouldn't be able to (re?)take gen chem anyways. How would this work for the Gen Chem lab? Med schools require a year of gen chem lab, but I would essentially have a semester and a half because my gen chem lab for my second semester was sorta combined with orgo chem lab and I'm taking a separate orgo chem lab course as well.

You misunderstand me;
I took a combined Gen Chem I/II course. This counted as 5.25 chemistry credits (all chem courses with lab count for 5.25 at my school due to the length of the labs). So I had only 1 semester of gen chem and 1 semester of gen chem lab. Apparently, this has never been an issue for med applicants coming from my school.
If it had been an issue, I would have had to take another Gen Chem course (not at my school, since in their eyes I've already finished Gen chem...I'm doing a DIY postbacc right now), which I refused to do as it is of no benefit to me.

Again, though, it's a moot point, because you plan to take p-chem.

How were you allowed to take the class twice if you didn't fail/get below a C- for a retake? 😵

A. Not all schools have identical policies to your own
B. You can pretty much take whatever the hell course you want, either as a summer course or as a part of a DIY postbacc. It may not be at your UG institution, but it still counts. Schools typically dgaf what non-degree-seekers take.
C. In the specific case you are quoting, sounds like a transfer situation where lines got blurred.

 

[Time Table]

Yes, Pchem will suffice. Biochem is a stretch.
Again, if you're taking Pchem, you're fine.
fwiw, my school required AP chem in order to take the placement test, and then a good score on the placement test in order to take the combined test...but no AP credit, ever. So it wasn't an AP credit issue, it's just that med schools have honored our 'combined' course despite not technically meeting the credit requirements.

If I were to change back to a bio major, I wouldn't need to take PChem. If that does end up becoming the case, I'm gonna assume that med schools would honor my "combined" chem sequence much like they did for you. Would that be an appropriate assumption to make?